Message in a bottle . . .

I must be having a 'lyrics run' on themes for my Calendar Challenge! 

 

I couldn't get this song out of my head so .  . . . yup . . . .  it got landed in my journal!  

There is comfort in the realisation that most (all?) people have fragile and lonely days, no matter how busy or confident the exterior appears!

 

Hugs to anyone feeling like that just now

 

xXx

What's that coming over the hill?

April's theme for Kate's 365 journal challenge had to be 'Monsters' cos I feel like the prolonged winter, lots of external pressures plus being a 40 something year old woman often has me feeling that way!

You know when you open your mouth and listen to the rot that comes out? Enough said!

 

 

To beat the monster blues I have just spent an fabulous 2 days at my refuge of Art from the Heart doing a Ranger techniques class with the truly fabulous Kaz Hall  - I can only apologise for bringing the standard of pupil down  . . . . and for the now national shortage of perfect pearls!

 

I love meeting new folks and re meeting some old ones too -  thank you ladies and gent for making it such a positive energy place to be for the weekend.

 

My project isn't finished yet but here it is thus far

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some of my tags

 

 

 

And if you want to know how they were done you should have been on the class.

 

Any finally I came home to the promise of these boots once they have been on stage in the Frazer theatre production of Teechers next month.

 

 

What more could a monster ask for?

 

xXx

Happy Days!

I can't believe its March already - there always seem to be lots of exciting things that happen in March, not least some time that will be spent with the fabulously talented Dina Wakley at Art from the Heart - I think there are still a couple of free slots on one or two of her workshops - check it out here

 

No surprises then that the theme for my March 365 Journal Calendar was inspired by Dina.

 

Have you seen her book 'Art Journal Freedom' ? - am guessing most people will be aware of this, but if not it is sooooo worth the pennies - mine has been to bed with me, in the bath, to work . . . . my stuff is a poor reflection of her amazing talent, but as another gorgeous friend reminded me today 'Start where you are, with what you've got and do what you can.'  Excellent advice ;o)

 

I also wanted to acknowledge Patty at Lisa's Altered Art as a source of fab downloadable images.

I hadn't been on her site for a while but after a visit last month I had fun with some of her images, Dylusions inks, Tim Holz distress paint and beeswax to create the following cards - they made me smile ;o)

 

 

 

 

 

Hold fast to your dreams folks and try not to piss me off!

 

xXx

 



Masks . . .

Hmmm - I like to think that I am fairly constant and you get what you see but the reality is often it's a mask of 'fineness' because that's best for everyone!

This, together with the fact that all my peeps seem to be doing 'stagey' things in the next few week, was the inspiration behind February's art journal calendar page.

 

I used my new favourite Dylusions spray inks of Cherry Pie, White Linen, Funky Fuchsia and Calypso Teal to make the background.

 

And today I really am fine!

 

xXx

 

 

 

Antithesis....

Happy New Year!!

For a change (!) I was not ready at the beginning of January to post my calendar page for the new year of Kate's journal challenge - in fact I wasn't ready until the 16th and then couldn't get blogger to upload any pictures so here we are, am actually glad I made it before the end of the month!

I was lucky enough to go to HobbyKunst in  Norway in December on elf duties. When I was not required for tea making, stencil cleaning and general merriment I got to go shopping ;o) Hobbykundst is the biggest craft shop I have ever been in so I was in my element just walking the shop floor and making the occasional purchase. These two stamps designed by Suzy Blu caught my eye and fell into my shopping basket: 

Because life is hard enough so everyone needs play time 

and

because that is the antithesis to how January can make me feel and why my January page is so deliberately bright!

The lanterns are ghosted Dylusions inks on water colour paper

 and are drawn with a magic pencil. The inspiration came from Suzi's stamp and Graphic 45's enlightenment paper from their Bird Song collection. I loved how it turned out even if it took me a while to get there.

Hoping your January has some sparkly and bright bits in it, if not make something happen to make it so.

xXx

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

 

I love Christmas time and all the excitement in preparations and the traditions we have in our family so will be buried in all of that, with some exciting events thrown in too, for the rest of the month.

 

Thanks to a Dylusions challenge last month, set by the fabulously talented Dyan Reaveley, I am ready for December's 366 Calender Challenge ON TIME!

I know!?!

 

 

 

I started with black jesso and then scraped lime green paint on with an old store card. I love the vibrance of the colours (thanks Dina for this idea from your recent accident!!)  I bought the Stampotique tree stamp this year and actually don't really like it as a tree - but have discovered it created fabulous 'matrix' style backgrounds ;o)

 

 

 

As much of my December will be spent at Art from the Heart I had to go with using Dylusions stamps and inks to create the baubles and my own special Santa... I love it!

 

This was the original journal page that I did for the challenge - yes you could say I've cheated and just expanded the idea it but c'est la vie!

 

 

I cant believe I have got to the end of the year - Thank you Kate for setting me off and for your, and all you lovely people who have looked an commented along the way's, encouragement to carry on.

 

This has done me good ;o)

 

What's next?

 

xXx

 

Thanks for stopping by and for any lovely comments you may choose to leave

Catching up ;o)

So, 'fess up, who stole the last 2 months?

 

I cant believe its been that long since I posted anything and that I have to confess to finishing creating October's 366 journal challenge page on November the 1st! I have to say it was fun reviewing the month after the fact because it was a FUN month; My friend and I got to go on a girlie road trip (air trip?!) to visit a fabulously talented and gorgeous girlie in Phoenix, Arizona - hence the Saguaro theme.

 

 

 

I did this on the plane over to the States - an expression of how I felt at the beginning of the trip - just in need of some 'me time'

 

 

 

I love, love, love my peeps and my job but it was sooooo freeing having NO responsibility for 7 days ;o)

I am so grateful for everyone who made it possible xxx

 

(I am working in my new Dylusions Creative Journal - I always knew I'd love this and I so do, the paper is soooooo versatile, I just wish I could have it in about 4 sizes! Hint to Ranger!!)

 

The creator of said journal (who is another gorgeous and fabulously talented friend) has been trying to teach me the following principle for some time now . . .

 

 

....... it is not something I excell at!

 

So, on to November. Whilst wracking my brains to come up with an idea for the date squares I wandered in to the room where I create stuff, switched the light on and was met by the internal fireworks of an exploding light bulb! Say no more . . . .

 

 

 

I've got lots of exciting things planned and lots more business ahead so who knows when I'll be back, but thanks for stopping by and thanks Kate Crane for keeping me on task, I've come so far that I cannot not complete this challenge! 

1 month to go . . . .

 

xXx